In the following term paper I am going to analyse the sonnet 60 by William Shakespeare. The aim of this paper is to examine sonnet 60 in matters of its external form, its discourse and story level as well as its various different interpretations in general.
I decided to focus primarily on the sonnet itself and targeted to provide an accurate description of the poem’s characteristic features, syntactic and semantic levels as well as its phonetics and how these factors influence the meaning of the sonnet. Therefore I will not go into details concerning the sonnet’s author William Shakespeare or the poem’s history of origins.
Nevertheless I engaged myself with some secondary literature in order to gain a broader insight into the matter of the subject. A list of literature, I used for this interpretation can be found in the bibliography below.
Along with this secondary literature the term paper is generally based on the information, provided by the power point presentation of the course Literary Studies 1.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Preliminaries
2.1. Primary Text
2.2. Translation into German
2.3. Vocabulary
2.4. Phonetic Transcription
3. Story Level
3.1 Characters
3.2 Action
3.3 Temporal and Local Setting
4. Discourse Level
4.1 Story as viewed from a discourse perspective
4.2 External Form
4.3 Suprasegmental Level
4.4 Phonetic Level
4.5 Morphologic and Syntactic Level
4.6 Semantic Level
4.7 Tendentious Discursive modes
5. An Interpretation
6. Conclusion
7. Bibliography
Objectives and Topics
This paper aims to provide an in-depth literary analysis of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60, focusing on its structural, phonetic, and semantic layers to explore how these elements shape the poem’s thematic message regarding time, mortality, and the immortality offered by poetry.
- Examination of the external form and metrical structure of the English sonnet.
- Analysis of the figurative language, specifically the use of metaphors and personifications of time.
- Investigation into the discourse perspective, characterization, and plot development within the poem.
- Evaluation of the phonetic and sound qualities, including alliteration and vowel usage.
- Interpretation of the poem's thematic shift from mortality to the power of art.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2 Action
The speaker describes in figurative language how time is passing by and we are all contemned to age and, finally, die. He depicts life as fast moving and fading. One stage of life merges into another and, especially, youth and beauty are gifts, which seem to be given and taken at nearly the same time: “And Time that gave doth now his gift confound. / Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth” 3 Furthermore, he describes time as a cruel and relentless force of nature and substantiates his point of view by comparing human life with a ocean’s wave that slowly builds up and unavoidably crashes on the pebbly shore, which represents death.
After complaining about the fast pace of life the speaker tries to give his addressee some comfort in the knowledge that the addressee will live on in the verse of the speaker’s poetry: “And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand, / Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.”
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the term paper, which focuses on a linguistic and literary analysis of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60 while excluding biographical details.
2. Preliminaries: This section provides the primary text, a German translation, a detailed vocabulary list, and the phonetic transcription of the sonnet.
3. Story Level: This chapter analyzes the characters and actions within the poem, focusing on the metaphorical representation of the life cycle and the crushing nature of time.
4. Discourse Level: This section breaks down the poem's structure, including characterization, the use of space, time management, external form, and complex linguistic analysis like suprasegmental and phonetic features.
5. An Interpretation: The author synthesizes the previous observations to interpret the progression of the sonnet, from the inevitability of death to the poet's claim of immortality through art.
6. Conclusion: The author reflects on the personal significance of studying the sonnet and reinforces the magical power of poetry to capture deep human truths.
7. Bibliography: A list of secondary literature and web sources used for the analysis.
Keywords
William Shakespeare, Sonnet 60, literary analysis, mortality, time, poetry, immortality, metaphor, personification, iambic pentameter, discourse, story level, linguistic analysis, life cycle, English sonnet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
This paper provides a detailed academic analysis of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60, examining its structure, language, and deeper thematic meanings.
What are the central thematic areas of the analysis?
The analysis covers themes of mortality, the relentless passage of time, the life cycle, and the poet’s role in achieving immortality through art.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to accurately describe the poem’s characteristic features—including syntax, semantics, and phonetics—and determine how these elements contribute to the poem’s overall message.
Which scientific methods are employed?
The author uses literary analysis, applying methods such as metrical and suprasegmental analysis, phonetic study, and semantic examination of figurative language.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section investigates the "Story Level" and "Discourse Level," providing a granular look at the poem's lines, rhyme scheme, rhythm, and literary devices.
Which terms best characterize this work?
Key terms include literary analysis, Sonnet 60, iambic pentameter, metaphor, personification, and discourse analysis.
How does the author interpret the role of the ocean metaphor?
The author suggests the ocean acts as a powerful, semanticized hypothetical space that represents both the mundane world of life and the spiritual origin of the soul.
Why are personifications considered the most powerful device in the poem?
According to the author, personifying time as a restless, cruel enemy turns an abstract concept into a tangible opponent, heightening the sense of imminence and drama for the reader.
What is the significance of the rhyming couplet in the author's analysis?
The couplet is interpreted as the turning point where the speaker shifts from despair regarding death to asserting his own power as a poet to grant the addressee immortality.
- Quote paper
- Iris Strimitzer (Author), 2013, Analysis and Interpretation of William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 60, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/316282
